Opportunities in the health information field have expanded with changes in health care delivery, utilization, financing and with developments in information technology. The Health Information Technology and Cancer Information Management Department offers five exciting options to prepare for a health information career: (1) the Associate in Science in Health Information Technology; (2) the Associate in Science in Cancer Information Management; (3) the Certificate of Completion in Cancer Information Management; (4) the Certificate of Completion in Medical Coding Specialist; and (5) the Certificate of Completion in Medical Reimbursement Specialist. Programs, Numbers 1 to 4 (above), are offered completely online; students enrolled in #5 (above), the Medical Reimbursement Specalist program, are required to take accounting in a face-to-face classroom or online elsewhere.
Students must have access to the Internet to enroll in these programs and must complete online orientation activities as the irst class session of each course. Students must meet online technical requirements. Core elements of each online lecture course include successful completion of the course objectives using the Internet, textbooks, study materials and computer applications. All examinations are online. Professional directed practice, under the guidance of a clinical preceptor, is provided at facilities as close as possible to each student's residence.
Health Information Technology
The Health Information Technology (HIT) Program prepares students for a career that places them right where the expanding arena of healthcare meets the cutting edge of technology. HIT professionals are the experts on patient data that doctors, nurses and other providers rely on to perform their jobs and which consumers need to manage their own healthcare. By, collecting, analyzing, maintaining, protecting and securing health information, their work makes an important contribution to the delivery of safe quality healthcare.
Graduates of the HIT Program are granted the Associate in Science Degree in Health Information Technology.
The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), in cooperation with the American Health Information Management Association. Graduates are eligible to take the national certifying exam to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).
Cancer Information Management
The Cancer Information Management (CIM) Program prepares students for positions with hospital-based and population-based cancer registries. Responsibilities typically include identification of reportable cancer cases; abstraction of pertinent cancer data from patient records and pathology, radiology and surgical reports; coding and staging primary site, histology and extent of disease; monitoring completeness, timeliness and quality of cancer data; performing cancer patient follow-up activities to identify second primaries, recurrence and spread of disease; reporting cancer data to health care officials, hospital administrators, physicians and regulatory organizations for use in cancer prevention and control; assisting the medical staff and epidemiologists in special studies and research; and supervising staff.
Graduates of this program who earn either the Certificate of Completion or the Associate in Science Degree in Cancer Information Management are eligible to take the national certifying exam to become a Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR). The program has been approved by the National Cancer Registrars Association.
Medical Coding Specialist
This completely online certificate program prepares students for a position as a medical coder in an acute care hospital, clinic or physician's office, long-term care facility and other health care settings. Coders ensure that valid codes are applied to medical diagnoses and procedures to facilitate reimbursement, analysis of patient outcomes, and research.
The Medical Coding Specialist Certificate of Completion prepares students to sit for the national certification examination to become a Certified Coding Associate (CCA). The program is approved by the American Health Information Management Association.
Medical Reimbursement Specialist
This certificate program prepares students for positions in the billing departments of health care facilities. Medical Reimbursement Specialists are valuable members of medical financial management teams, ensuring that optimum eimbursement is obtained through coding, billing and collecting for all services rendered. Reimbursement professionals can also serve as resources to patients and families in understanding reimbursement coverage offered by insurance and/or managed care organizations. All classes are currently offered online except for Introduction to Accounting.
Department Offices
Health Information Technology & Cancer Information Management Programs (ext. 2851)
Health Technologies Counselors (ext. 2285)
Faculty/Staff
Gwyer Schuyler, HIT/CIM Department Chair (schuyler@sbcc.edu)
Janet L. Robertson, HIT Program Director (robertso@sbcc.edu)
Lillian Antonelli, CIM Coordinator
Degrees & Certificates Awarded
Associate in Science
Health Information Technology
Cancer Information Management
Certificate of Achievement
Medical Coding Specialist
Medical Reimbursement Specialist
Cancer Information Management
Click here to view the complete department description and Degree Requirements (PDF format)
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